Bio

​Research in the Oleson lab generally focuses on the role of subsecond dopamine release in motivated behavior within the context of drug addiction. We are also interested in using cannabinoids to treat diseases that alter the mesolimbic dopamine system. We measure real-time dopamine release during ongoing behavior using a technique called fast-scan cyclic voltammetry and control dopamine neural activity using a technique called optogenetics. Specific projects include: assessing the role of dopamine in the co-morbid expression of schizophrenia and drug addiction, assessing the role of dopamine in drug withdrawal, establishing potential pharmacotherapies that might be used to treat schizophrenia and drug addiction.